Nick Kyrgios defends tennis rival who was defaulted for calling referee a ‘damn idiot’ in Russian

Andrey Rublev has been banned from the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships for unsportsmanlike conduct after shouting at a line judge in the final set of a tense encounter against Alexander Bublik.

However, Australian tennis firebrand Nick Kyrgios has defended his Russian rival and said he should never be at fault.

In a chaotic match in which both competitors were furious with the referees at various points, Rublev was found at fault by the chair umpire after Russian-speaking chair umpire Miriam Bley accused him of using obscenity while shouting at the line judge.

Bublik tried to convince Bley and ATP supervisor Roland Herfel to continue playing, but the call was made and the match was over.

He was at fault and kicked out of the match after the Russian-speaking chair umpire said he had used Russian obscenity

Herfelt asked the line referee: Did he say ‘f***ing idiot’?

Rublev intervened: I didn’t say ‘f***ing’. What do you mean by ‘damn’? I did not say that! It’s a huge lie! I swear – I didn’t say that.’

A confused Bublik, who clawed back from a set to lead 6-7(7/4), 7-6(7/5), 6-5, was awarded the win despite saying he would like to continue wanted to go. the match.

Kyrgios, who has played just one competitive tennis match since the 2022 Wimbledon final while battling injuries, cheered Bublik on social media platform X but also defended Rublev.

‘Lesson from Bublik, in which he said he wanted to move on. Respect. Feel for Rublev. It did not justify default,” Kyrgios said.

A disappointed Rublev congratulates Bublik after being eliminated in Dubai

Kyrgios has spent more time commentating on tennis than playing it since the 2022 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic

Many of Kyrgios’ followers disagreed, saying the punishment fit the crime.

“Serena [Williams] has defaulted for less or something like that, so why wouldn’t Rublev do that?’ one follower asked.

“Nick… shouting at a distance from someone’s face is not okay… it doesn’t matter what he said. You just can’t do that in society,” another added.

Another follower agreed, writing, “To be honest, YOU have said and done far worse and have never been at fault.”

Bublik was confused by the result and regretted the way it ended for his rival.

“I highly doubt Andrey said anything crazy. He’s not that kind of person. But I guess those are the rules. That’s what they did, they just followed procedure,” Bublik told reporters.

‘There’s not much to say. With all due respect, it was a great match and we both deserved to win.

“I wish Andrey gets back on track as soon as possible.”